Release Music Orchestra ~ Germany

Vlotho 1977 (2022)

Release Music Orchestra is one of the very few bands where I've documented my collection in full. For those that I own more than three albums that is to say. Vlotho 1977 is a newish archival document that just arrived here for the first time. Might as well keep the momentum and get right to it.

Let's start with my thoughts from the Umsonst und Draussen festival album itself: "Release Music Orchestra is a relative big name, and this is their first appearance for the free concerts (on LP - they were there for the '76 festival too). Only Kraan is missing at this point! Here, they offer a slow and atmospheric jazz piece." That piece is 'Sonntag' and is track 5 here.

As with the Bremen 1978 show, Release Music Orchestra is far more attuned on Vlotho 1977 to the original premise of the band than what showed up on their later albums. As for the material, only half of the songs appeared on their studio albums, and all of them have been extended considerably from the originals: 'Sundance' (from Get the Ball), 'Torso Im Summerwind' (Garuda), and 'Up By The Riverside' (Beyond the Limit, which hadn't been released by the time of this concert). And the aforementioned 'Sonntag' was released as is on the Vlotho 1977 compilation. The opening new song 'Rico' sets the tone, and pace, with some frenetic drumming before launching into the patented RMO jazz fusion sound. This song was also on the Brain Festival 1977 album, but this version is different.

The extended sections generally allow for more soloing, mostly from saxophonist Gunther Reger, which can get a bit pitchy at times. I found Rurup's keyboard and synthesizer solos more pleasing. Wolfgang Thierfeldt's drumming is quite energetic, and I suspect he met his calorie burn goal for the day.

The final track is a 16 minute jam titled, appropriately enough, 'Free and Outdoors 77', which is the English translation of Umsonst und Draussen. Bassist Frank Fischer shines the brightest here. In conclusion, a very fine archival document from a band that has still been neglected in the reissue market all these years later.

Ownership: 2022 Garden of Delights (CD). Booklet with historical liner notes and photos.

9/25/25 (acquired / review) 

Life (1974)

I've recently written about the second and third RMO releases, but what about their debut? It's different in that it's a live effort, something the band states it wanted to do to capture their energy ("tension and electricity" as they put it). Coming fresh off their former work, under the Tomorrow's Gift moniker, Life has a similar jazz focus, but is geared more towards the upcoming fusion movement. Given the lack of any memorable melodies, I find Life harder to get into than their next two albums, which puts me in the minority camp. However, a couple of repeated listens convinced me Life is at the same level, just a less immediate sound.

Ownership: 1974 Brain (LP). Gatefold cover with full recording details in the center (in both German and English). Life is generally considered the first album on the green label that does not have the word Metronome underneath. However it does still have the word on the cover, and this would be the last album to feature that. 

1998 (acquired); 6/17/21 (review)

Get the Ball (1976)

On RYM, they have a feature called "Discussion" that is embedded within each album's page. It will show if that specific album has been referenced directly (via link) in a specific thread by one of the contributors. What's most interesting about Release Music Orchestra's third album Get The Ball, is the title of the three threads it has been mentioned as a part of (as I write these notes): 1) "Funky Krautrock"; 2) "Synth-Oriented Krautrock"; 3)"Gimme More Jazz Fusion Like..." That folks, is my review of the album right there.

RMO is clearly moving away from their Canterburyish sophomore release Garuda, and heading more into the trendy funky fusion waters of the era. On paper, that sounds like a potential disaster, but in the hands of the veteran RMO, it all comes together nicely. Some fantastic Rhodes and synthesizer work can be heard, and the rhythm section is always on point and edgy. The female vocals only add to the vibe. A very consistent album, where every track could be considered excellent.

Ownership: 1976 Brain (LP)

2010; 9/21/18 (acquired / review)

Garuda (1975)

Release Music Orchestra is Tomorrow's Gift version 3.0 and Garuda is their second album under this moniker. By this time, the band are a well oiled machine, and they mix expert musicianship with strong melodies and complex compositions. The title track is sit-up-and-pay-attention worthy, and is a strong Canterbury styled tune similar to Hatfield and the North at their peak. When Release Music Orchestra catch a groove, the results are divine. There are five fully realized compositions on Garuda, and five "Zwischenspiel's", which translates to interludes. Each member gets a short 30 seconds to a minute to improvise. While not exactly on the same level of Yes' Fragile, I do prefer the efficiency. Of these, I thoroughly enjoyed Manfred Rurup's (keyboards) and Margit Haberland's (vocal) contributions. Overall I'd submit that Release Music Orchestra are a bit more jazzy than other German followers of the Canterbury sound such as Brainstorm and Tortilla Flat, but they would still have to be considered pioneers in the upcoming Kraut Fusion movement that was to dominate the landscape in the next few years.

Ownership: 1975 Brain (LP)

1997 (acquired); 1999; 7/11/18 (review)

Bremen 1978 (2004)

Live recording from their Beyond the Limit years. Way more stretched out and improvisational than the album proper. Takes a bit to get going, but once they catch the groove, they zone out into an earlier and more pure era of music. No more sunny skies, fake smiles, and bad teeth. This is Kraut Fusion for the Umsonst und Draussen set.

Ownership: 2004 Garden of Delights (CD). Booklet with historical liners.

8/6/17 (acquired / review)

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None of the RMO albums have been reissued as I update this post (9/25/25).

8/6/17 (new entry)